Spurs vs. Warriors 1st Round..

[kuato]

Spurs in 14... I'm happy to be in playoffs with this Frankenstein team. Don't forget about Rudy, i hope White can play too

[cd021]

I think you have a pretty good set of points there. I might not start Green and let Anderson and Bertans switch between Durant and Draymond to start, with Danny coming in to check KD/Thompson/whomever when those guys run with the second unit. Having another shooter out there would be really helpful, so it wouldn't take more than one pass to get it into hands that could burn the other team. But you can't not start Murray or Anderson. I was gonna suggest starting Gay instead of Danny to get appropriate size on Draymond, but having Rudy out there is going to essential to the second unit, just so they can find a center. I will say, though, I'm not too worried about the GS backups. With Gay on the bench, the Spurs should win that handily. But even with him starting and Tony, Manu, Danny, Davis and Pau coming off the bench, they should do better than hold serve.

Anderson needs to attack early and often so Green doesn't rotate off him. Same with Murray. Those guys are pretty much only effective when they are move toward the rim, so DeJounte needs to play the glass, and Anderson needs to drive. Both guys are strong rebounders.

I would prefer a Murray, Green, Gay, Anderson, LMA unit. That's the unit that wrecked the Cavs in the 4th of that @ Cavs game.

Murray-Thompson
Green-KD
Gay-Cook
Anderson-Green
LMA-Zaza

Provides a lot of length and size that can rebound and defend the including ability to switch.

I don't think Mills can be effective in this series, while I think Gay is essential and could really help take off load off LMA offensively.

Manu is a wild card in this series, I think, his ability to attack the rim- without much rim protection will come in handy. His passing should be able to help Aldridge get some good looks in the P&R. As for Anderson and Murray, I think they could do some damage by hanging out near the rim while LMA posts up.

During the 2nd @ GSW game Murray would actually slide over to the side Aldridge was posting up and while Murray's man would go and double, leaving him alone underneath the basket. It seemed designed that way, with Aldridge hitting Murray 2 or 3 times for uncontested layups in the half court.

Anderson running some P&R with LMA was how he was able to get going in the 2nd and 3rd GSW games. Aldridge was able to screen off KD and Anderson was able to do his thing and maneuver to the basket or pull up so that is how he could be effective during this series but he may also need to at least take open 3's, some may even go in but Murray and Aldridge are above average offensive rebounders that might be able to get some second-chance baskets.

I think our second unit would be fine, even with Gay starting but I don't expect him to actually do so. IIRC Livingston-Thompson-Iggy, Draymond & West are their bench unit. I think that is probably fairly even with our bench unit but depending how Parker and Manu actually play it could be a strength.

[Chinook]

I would prefer a Murray, Green, Gay, Anderson, LMA unit. That's the unit that wrecked the Cavs in the 4th of that @ Cavs game.

Murray-Thompson
Green-KD
Gay-Cook
Anderson-Green
LMA-Zaza

Provides a lot of length and size that can rebound and defend the including ability to switch.

I don't think Mills can be effective in this series, while I think Gay is essential and could really help take off load off LMA offensively.

Manu is a wild card in this series, I think, his ability to attack the rim- without much rim protection will come in handy. His passing should be able to help Aldridge get some good looks in the P&R. As for Anderson and Murray, I think they could do some damage by hanging out near the rim while LMA posts up.

During the 2nd @ GSW game Murray would actually slide over to the side Aldridge was posting up and while Murray's man would go and double, leaving him alone underneath the basket. It seemed designed that way, with Aldridge hitting Murray 2 or 3 times for uncontested layups in the half court.

Anderson running some P&R with LMA was how he was able to get going in the 2nd and 3rd GSW games. Aldridge was able to screen off KD and Anderson was able to do his thing and maneuver to the basket or pull up so that is how he could be effective during this series but he may also need to at least take open 3's, some may even go in but Murray and Aldridge are above average offensive rebounders that might be able to get some second-chance baskets.

I think our second unit would be fine, even with Gay starting but I don't expect him to actually do so. IIRC Livingston-Thompson-Iggy, Draymond & West are their bench unit. I think that is probably fairly even with our bench unit but depending how Parker and Manu actually play it could be a strength.

I'm less worried about Mills starting without Curry. And I'd be a worried with a Parker/Patty second unit trying to defend Livingston. I don't see any reason Green can't play starter minutes from the bench if he earns them, and as I said, having a designated defender off the bench would be really nice, consider Pop has no idea how to match minutes anymore and Anderson is prone to get into foul trouble because of how much he gambles.

Pop has to unroll the LMA contingency plan for doubles. Murray should be part of that. , that's probably something other players can do, like wait until their guy leaves, and get into scoring position. I don't think they do actually move after being left all that much.

Anderson running the 4/5 with LMA might be less effective, because Draymond gets away with so many fouls and will slap the ball away from LMA a lot. It would come down to Kyle scoring on LMA enough to force GS to adjust.

Manu playing well would be a boon, but Tony and Danny also need to be on. There's very little room for error here. I do think McGee is going to be an issue, though. He's done a great job at protecting the rim against SA all season.

[Das Texan]

Spurs are going to have to hit a higher 3 point percentage to have a shot in the series. I think thats the bottom line. All the other details will work themselves out. Golden State isn't all that great as people assume without Curry. Its a huge hit to their offense and their defense hasn't been all that great all year. If Danny and Patty can just get hot then I trust LMA to do work inside. What has been missing all year is the 3 point shooting, though.

Too bad we wont see White try to light it up.

[Mugen]

Lot of takes/analysis for a 4 game sweep tbh

[HarlemHeat37]

Game 2 adjustments?

Spurs haven't won a road game in like 2 months IIRC, so they have no chance in GS anyways, but what are Pop's adjustments looking ahead?

- Aldridge obviously has to beat single coverage..this team is terrible when he can't carry them, as we know..struggling against doubles and swarming was expected, but he can't play so poorly against McGee without help..

- Parker can't play..they literally weren't even guarding him off the ball, Iguodala completely ignored him to swarm the ball..

- Start Gay, seems like an obvious move..

- Don't put Mills on Klay, for the love of God..

- Get the ball out of Durant's hands..they did this today, but the Warriors made their shots..I would keep doing it, make Draymond and whoever else(other than Klay) beat you..don't guard him with Bryn Forbes on 4 consecutive possessions, as well

[tholdren]

Murray has to make his money on Klay. Green hasn't been bad on Durant over their careers (was the best on him in 2014), but I think he'll battle foul trouble and get the hook early and often if he's not shooting well. Anderson's there more for his offense. He has to be aggressive against a team that can't guard him. It's going to be a bloodbath of doubles for Aldridge unless Green and Mills are on from three-point land.

I'd probably play Paul or Bertans over Forbes in this match-up. Guarding Draymond is key for the series. Bryn just can't do that. Gay would be my backup center unless Gasol pulls his head out of his ass.

Lol no. Your 1st paragraph was on point, but then you fell off. Pau over forbes? Wtf. You just alluded to sa not being able to create a shot, pau cant even rebound. And his defense is 1000 times worse than forbes

[YGWHI]

I hope you're right! Also hoping, Javale doesn't turn into Aldridge stopper. His length can give Aldridge problems inside the paint.

Damn...YOU WERE SO F*CKING RIGHT. I was thinking about your post the whole first quarter.

[jbspurs]

Agree with you that length can give problems but defense is not McGee strength. I wonder how much minutes of the game Pop will be willing to stay big or go small...
McGee being on court or not will depend on that Pop's decision

I told you!

[jbspurs]

Damn...YOU WERE SO F*CKING RIGHT. I was thinking about your post the whole first quarter.

Aldridge money move will be hard to go over the lenght of Javale. What Aldridge needs to do is get Javale in foul trouble to get him out of the game. Javale is not that smart, Aldridge just needs to get him pump fakes and get Javale...

[YGWHI]

Aldridge money move will be hard to go over the lenght of Javale. What Aldridge needs to do is get Javale in foul trouble to get him out of the game. Javale is not that smart, Aldridge just needs to get him pump fakes and get Javale...

I won't say anything different this time.

When McGee picked his 3rd foul, West and Looney couldn't handle LMA that well.

[Mugen]

Game 2 adjustments?

Spurs haven't won a road game in like 2 months IIRC, so they have no chance in GS anyways, but what are Pop's adjustments looking ahead?

- Aldridge obviously has to beat single coverage..this team is terrible when he can't carry them, as we know..struggling against doubles and swarming was expected, but he can't play so poorly against McGee without help..

- Parker can't play..they literally weren't even guarding him off the ball, Iguodala completely ignored him to swarm the ball..

- Start Gay, seems like an obvious move..

- Don't put Mills on Klay, for the love of God..

- Get the ball out of Durant's hands..they did this today, but the Warriors made their shots..I would keep doing it, make Draymond and whoever else(other than Klay) beat you..don't guard him with Bryn Forbes on 4 consecutive possessions, as well

Lot of takes/analysis for a 4 game sweep tbh

I take back the above and think Pop will really get the guys ready to steal one at home later this series. That'll force them back to the Bay for a Game 5, meaning Pop doesn't have to pay for airfare to Napa County.

[jbspurs]

I won't say anything different this time.

When McGee picked his 3rd foul, West and Looney couldn't handle LMA that well.

That and Pop not putting Mills on Klay or Forbes on KD, then Spurs will get a better chance on winning.

[cd021]

That and Pop not putting Mills on Klay or Forbes on KD, then Spurs will get a better chance on winning.

This isn't a series for either, tbh, yet he plays both together

[sasaint]

This isn't a series for either, tbh, yet he plays both together

Oh, the irony!

[jbspurs]

This isn't a series for either, tbh, yet he plays both together

I agree, GSW guards are long and quick. Mills and Forbes will only be a disadvantage on defense. GSW will just force them to switch to take advantage of the mismatch. Hopefully, Pop makes the adjustment game 2. Otherwise, I think, He knows Spurs don't have a chance and he'll just go with the flow and not even try.

[SAGirl]

Aldridge money move will be hard to go over the lenght of Javale. What Aldridge needs to do is get Javale in foul trouble to get him out of the game. Javale is not that smart, Aldridge just needs to get him pump fakes and get Javale...

Definitely. It's tough bc the Spurs don't have guards to set Aldridge up well. I'd start White, see what he has.

[jbspurs]

Definitely. It's tough bc the Spurs don't have guards to set Aldridge up well. I'd start White, see what he has.

GSW mixing up double and single coverage on Aldridge, guards just needs to knockdown jumpers to force GSW to play honest d. I think that's the only way it will open up for LA.

[daslicer]

I agree, GSW guards are long and quick. Mills and Forbes will only be a disadvantage on defense. GSW will just force them to switch to take advantage of the mismatch. Hopefully, Pop makes the adjustment game 2. Otherwise, I think, He knows Spurs don't have a chance and he'll just go with the flow and not even try.

I don't think Pop believes he can win this series. A friend of mine jokingly said Pop shouldn't waste anybody's time and just play a G-league starting line up. Pop should start Mills,Murray,Forbes,White,Anderson together just for comedy.

[spurs10]

I don't think Pop believes he can win this series. A friend of mine jokingly said Pop shouldn't waste anybody's time and just play a G-league starting line up. Pop should start Mills,Murray,Forbes,White,Anderson together just for comedy.

Pretty much, he isn't stupid. They still have three All Stars and they are very good defensively.

[daslicer]

Pretty much, he isn't stupid. They still have three All Stars and they are very good defensively.

This was the worst matchup the Spurs could get. I was hoping the Spurs would get anybody besides the Rockets or Warriors. Spurs would have had a chance against Blazers,Jazz,Pelicans,Thunder,Wolves. Any series with the teams I listed would have been compe ive and entertaining. Last year's series vs the Warriors was the most boring playoff series I have seen the Spurs take part in the last 20 some years. Unfortunately the sequel looks to be even more of a snooze fest.

[HI-FI]

Missed the first game because my power went out right before tipoff. Probably should’ve went to a bar, but doesn’t look like I missed much. I was thinking Spurs were playing with house money, but Pop looks like he’s ready to travel Europe and get drunk, plus the Ws are stacked even without Twinkball.

[cutewizard]

Gentlemen,

It has been a tremendous ride. The Spurs of Five Rings shall always be my most favorite team.

However, its time to move on. These playoffs I am picking a new team. I want a Spurs like team, built from scratch.

May this new romance bloom. And may they someday compete for the ultimate prize.

Go SIXERS go!!!

[r0drig0lac]

This isn't a series for either, tbh, yet he plays both together

this is not about that serie, they are not nba rotation players

[sasaint]

Definitely. It's tough bc the Spurs don't have guards to set Aldridge up well. I'd start White, see what he has.

I am leery of throwing White to the wolves... er, dubs. Pop needed to prepare White for the playoffs with regular playing time in the regular season. Without that experience, throwing him in against a great team playing with playoff intensity is pretty unfair to White.